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The hepatic portal system, a critical part of our circulatory framework, transports nutrient-laden, deoxygenated blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver. This ingenious system plays an indispensable role in maintaining our body's metabolic equilibrium.
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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats

Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats

Published on: August 1, 2018

The hepatopulmonary syndrome

P A Lange¹, J K Stoller

¹Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44106.

Annals of Internal Medicine

|April 1, 1995

Summary

Hepatopulmonary syndrome, a cause of hypoxemia in liver disease, involves intrapulmonary vascular dilatations. While treatments are disappointing, reversibility after liver transplantation is possible, with echocardiography aiding diagnosis.

Area of Science:

Hepatology
Pulmonology
Vascular Medicine

Background:

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a significant complication in chronic liver disease.
It contributes to hypoxemia, dyspnea, platypnea, and orthopnea in affected patients.
Characterized by intrapulmonary vascular dilatations and right-to-left shunting.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current knowledge on hepatopulmonary syndrome.
To explore diagnostic methods, pathophysiologic mechanisms, and treatment considerations.
To emphasize the potential for reversibility following liver transplantation.

Main Methods:

Literature review of MEDLINE database (1986-1993) and bibliographies.
Analysis of case studies, clinical reviews, and animal studies.

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Extraction of outcomes including survival and reversibility data.

Main Results:

HPS is a cause of mild hypoxemia in about one-third of liver disease patients.
Pharmacologic treatments and plasmapheresis have shown limited efficacy.
Reversibility of HPS is possible, and contrast-enhanced echocardiography is a sensitive diagnostic tool.

Conclusions:

Further research is needed to understand HPS pathophysiology and identify effective treatments.
Predicting reversibility of HPS after liver transplantation is crucial.
Investigating novel therapeutic strategies for hepatopulmonary syndrome is warranted.